EU Commission Assesses Rule of Law in Ireland: Progress and Persistent Challenges (commission.europa.eu)

• 72% of public and 79% of companies perceive judicial independence as fairly or very good.
• Judicial Appointments Commission operational since 1 January 2025.
• Ethics reforms advanced, including digitalisation of asset declarations.
• Five recommendations: reduce litigation costs, strengthen ethics, complete media funding reform, finalise defamation reform, address civil society funding obstacles.

"The European Commission's 2025 Rule of Law Report on Ireland notes high perceived judicial independence (72% public, 79% businesses). The Judicial Appointments Commission began work in January 2025. Progress has been made on reducing litigation costs and digitalising justice, but concerns persist over lengthy proceedings and insufficient resources for corruption enforcement. Recommendations include strengthening the ethics framework, finalising media funding reform, updating defamation law, and removing legal obstacles to civil society funding."